Summer Days

I love simple summer days. Who needs theme parks and expensive toys when you have a couple packs of cards and a trip to the Mexican bakery?

So, yes, Cardenas is our favorite store now. The produce prices are fantastic - today 10 pounds of oranges for a $1! Then we decided to try out their deli (what do you call that in Spanish?). I asked if they could do a veggie burrito - beans, rice, lettuce, tomato, onion, cilantro and pico de gallo. Oh ya, it was good. The price...99 cents. You heard me and that came with the salsa bar.

One of my favorite aspects of going to Cardenas is the security guard. Now, this is not a small rustic place, it is a fancy new full service store, complete with insurance sales, juice stand, bakery and deli/cafe. The security guard reminds me of Barney Fife. He takes his job very seriously. His uniform is pressed and perfect, he wears his aviator glasses with style - in the store, has his gun and holster on the hip with just a touch of swagger. He keeps his hands at a constant hover over his gun, in case he has to make a quick draw. Some people may be put off by this, but I have complete confidence in this man and am sure that any prospective thug will change his intentions when looking at Barney. I think I will have to call him that from now on. Barney.

Other than bakeries and cards, MaCall had a violin lesson today with Pavel. He has been in Europe and we have not seen him in ages. It was so good to see him again. Just entering the music building at Redland's University gives me a thrill - I love the smell of old wood and learning. He brought her a cute little doll from Slovakia and was very happy with her playing today.

Eloise leaves for Arrowbear Music camp on Sunday afternoon. She will be gone for a week. This is a family tradition. Both of Franz's parents attended Arrowbear Music Camp. So, this is our Arrowbear year. Both girls have scholarships. Eloise will be gone for one week with the elementary session and MaCall for THREE WEEKS at the advanced session. I'm a little worried about the length of time - not for her, for me - but she is very excited. She has many friends from school and quartet attending with her. This weekend her quartet will play at the community picnic and at the 4th of July parade.

Oh, and update, her grades arrived. She completed her Freshman year with all A's and one B+ in PE. PE! She says but Mom, it isn't like when you were in High School, they expect us to work in PE. Uh huh. Pretty good though. We are proud of her.